Fractured Tooth Treatment Options
For pets, a common oral issue is a fractured or broken tooth. Fractured teeth typically happen from a dog chewing on a hard object like a bone, rock, or even a deer antler. They can also be caused by traumatic injuries. When a pet has a broken tooth, there are often many treatment courses to consider. The best way to determine the right option is by taking all things into consideration, such as the extent of damage, whether the pulp cavity is exposed (which causes severe pain), if the tooth itself is dead or infected, or which tooth is impacted. If your pet has sustained a fractured or broken tooth, it is an emergency situation. Waiting it out to see what happens is not a good solution; it can lead to further damage and your pet suffering needlessly.
A Pet’s Tooth Anatomy
A pet’s tooth is mostly made up of a layer called dentin. Dentin is one of three layers sandwiched between the enamel, or hard outer shell, and the pulp cavity, which is where the nerve and blood vessels reside. The nerves and blood vessels are at the tip of the root, and they are the lifeline of the tooth itself.
What Are the Two Types of Pet Teeth Fractures?
There are two types of pet teeth fractures: complicated and uncomplicated. A complicated fracture is when the crown itself is fractured, exposing the nerves and blood supply of the tooth. An uncomplicated fracture is when only the dentin and enamel are affected, which exposes tubules that lead to the pulp canal.
Treatment For a Pet’s Fractured or Broken Tooth
Complicated Crown Fractures
If a pet has a complicated crown fracture, the pulp becomes dead, or non-vital, and the tooth can become infected. Under these circumstances, the two options are either tooth extraction or root canal therapy. If you seek treatment within 48 to 72 hours, some fractures can be treated with vital pulp therapy in young dogs. During vital pulp therapy, a material that hardens is placed over the pulp, and then is covered by a composite dental material. With vital pulp therapy, the tooth remains vital (alive), and it can continue to grow and develop in younger pets.
Root canals can typically be a viable treatment option for any tooth, but they are usually reserved for teeth that are critical for eating and quality of life. The most important teeth to save are the upper fourth premolar teeth, the canine teeth, and the lower first molar teeth. All teeth are important, but removal of small teeth usually does not affect your pet’s ability to chew or their overall health. If critical teeth are damaged beyond repair, then tooth extraction is a warranted treatment, but it is often better to err on the side of therapy versus removal when possible.
When to See A Specialty Oral-Care Veterinarian
Many oral conditions and preventative care treatment options can be performed at your regular veterinarian, but in cases where a condition has progressed or is outside the realm of normal or preventative treatment, seeing an oral care specialist is a better idea. Fractured teeth are not something that you should wait to see what happens or ignore. An infected tooth will not only cause your pet suffering; it can lead to far more severe health consequences. The earlier you seek treatment, the better their prognosis will be. At Veterinary Dental Care, we evaluate and treat your pet’s oral issues to ensure their best quality of life. Contact us today to discuss your pet’s treatment options.